Method and apparatus for using velocity profile measurements in recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides techniques for recovering hydrocarbon fluids in a process flow, including recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line. The apparatus includes a signal processor that responds to signaling containing information about the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and determines corresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based on the signaling received. The hydrocarbon fluid may be bitumen, including bitumen flowing in a course tailings line. The signal processor receives the signaling from a velocity profile meter having sensors arranged around a circumference of a process pipe containing information about a fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within the process pipe, including a wrap-around velocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays located radially at a top position of 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and 135°.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application also claims benefit to provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/543,433, filed 5 Oct. 2011 (WFVA/CiDRA file nos.712-2.360/CCS-73), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to technique for recovering hydrocarbon fluids ina process flow; and more particularly to recovering bitumen from acoarse tailings line.

2. Description of Related Art

In a coarse tailings line that goes from a separation vessel (such as agravity separation vessel or a PSV) to a tailings pond in an oilsandsseparation plant, trace amounts of bitumen of up to 1% or more may bepresent in the waste (tailings) line that goes to a tailings pond.

The coarse tailings line is a slurry transport process, which means thatwater is used to transport the waste to the tailings pond. The wastewill include the various sands, clays, water and other natural materialsthat were separated from the bitumen in the separation plant. In thetailings pond, the solids and sediment settle out, leaving behind theprocess and naturally occurring water. Any leftover bitumen in thecoarse tailings will be discharged to the tailings pond, presenting apotential environmental hazard, as well as a loss of valuablehydrocarbon content.

The pumping of the tailings in the coarse tailings line will causeadditional conditioning of the tailings mixture leading to the potentialseparation of any bitumen in the tailings from the sand and clays in thetailings. This separated bitumen will tend to “float” along the top ofthe tailings pipe.

One known method to capture the bitumen in the tailings line is to use askimmer at the very end of the tailings line prior to the tailings pondto skim off the bitumen in the pipe with the use of a diverter plate.The skimmer plate skims off the bitumen and directs it to a tank, withthe remaining tailings going to the tailings pond.

The issue with this method is that there is no way to know how muchbitumen is present in the coarse tailings line. With a fixed diverterplate, in some instances, too much water will be captured when littlebitumen is present, and in other cases, too little bitumen will becaptured, with significant amounts of bitumen being directed to thetailings pond.

In view of this, there is a need in the industry to provide a way toknow or determine how much bitumen is present in the coarse tailingsline. Moreover, there is also a need in the industry to provide a way tocapture more bitumen and less water from the process flow, as well as toreduce the amount of bitumen being directed to the tailings pond.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides new techniques for recovering hydrocarbonfluids in a process flow; and more particularly to recovering bitumenfrom the process flow including that flowing in a coarse tailings line.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatusmay comprise a signal processor configured to:

-   -   respond to signaling containing information about the presence        of a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and    -   determine corresponding signaling to control the diversion of        the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based at        least partly on the signaling received.

The present invention may also include one or more of the followingfeatures:

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrocarbonfluid may include, or take the form of, a fluid containing bitumen,including bitumen flowing in a process pipe such as a course tailingsline.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signalprocessor may be configured to receive the signaling from a velocityprofile meter having sensors arranged or configured around acircumference of a process pipe, the signaling containing informationabout a fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within theprocess pipe. The velocity profile meter may be a wrap-around velocityprofile meter that uses multiple sensing arrays, including where themultiple sensing arrays are located radially at a top position of 0°, abottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and 135°.According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatusmay also include the velocity profile meter.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signalprocessor may be configured to provide the corresponding signaling tocontrol a diverter that diverts the hydrocarbon fluid from the processflow remaining, including where the hydrocarbon fluid is flowing in acoarse tailings line and the hydrocarbon fluid contains bitumen.According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatusmay also include diverter apparatus configured in relation to theprocess pipe, and the diverter apparatus may include the diverter and adiverter controller that controls the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluidfrom the process flow remaining based at least partly on thecorresponding signaling received.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signalprocessor may be is configured to provide the corresponding signaling tocontrol a fixed diverter, so that a process pipe connecting the fixeddiverter to a holding tank can be closed off when no hydrocarbon fluidis detected, and opened when the hydrocarbon fluid is detected,including where the hydrocarbon fluid is flowing in a coarse tailingsline and the hydrocarbon fluid contains bitumen. According to someembodiments of the present invention, the diverter apparatus may includethe fixed diverter and the diverter controller controls the fixeddiverter based at least partly on the corresponding signaling received.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signalprocessor may be configured to provide the corresponding signaling tocontrol a variable diverter, so that the position of the variablediverter can be adjusted based upon a detected amount of hydrocarbonfluid in the process flow, including where the hydrocarbon fluid isflowing in a coarse tailings line and the hydrocarbon fluid containsbitumen. According to some embodiments of the present invention, thediverter apparatus may include the variable diverter and the divertercontroller controls the variable diverter based at least partly on thecorresponding signaling received.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signalprocessor may be configured to provide the corresponding signaling tocontrol an adjustable skimmer blade that can be adjusted to levels anddegrees of hydrocarbon fluid in the process flow, including where thehydrocarbon fluid is flowing in a coarse tailings line and thehydrocarbon fluid contains bitumen. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, the diverter apparatus may include the adjustableskimmer blade and the diverter controller controls the adjustableskimmer blade based at least partly on the corresponding signalingreceived.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatusmay also include the velocity profile meter that is, or takes the formof, a wrap-around velocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays,including where the multiple sensing arrays are located radially at atop position of 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediatepositions 45°, 90° and 135°, and that is also configured in aclosed-loop fashion with the adjustable skimmer blade.

The Method

According to some embodiments, the present invention may take the formof a method including steps for responding with a signal processor tosignaling containing information about the presence of a hydrocarbonfluid in a process flow; and determining with the signal processorcorresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbonfluid from the process flow remaining based at least partly on thesignaling received.

The method may also include one or more steps for implementing thefeatures set forth herein.

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a way todetermine how much of a hydrocarbon such as bitumen may be present in aprocess flow such as that in a coarse tailings line. Moreover, it alsoprovides a way to capture more of the hydrocarbon such as bitumen andless water from the process flow such as that in a coarse tailings line,as well as to reduce the amount of the hydrocarbon such as bitumen beingdirected to the tailings pond.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing includes FIGS. 1-6, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, as follows:

FIG. 1 includes FIG. 1a , which is a block diagram of apparatusconfigured for recovering a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow,including to recovering bitumen from a coarse tailings line, accordingto some embodiment of the present invention; and includes FIG. 1b ,which is a block diagram of a control processor that forms part of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1a , according to some embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of apparatus or a system for recovering ahydrocarbon fluid in a process flow, including recovering bitumen from acoarse tailings line, arranged in relation to a holding tank, accordingto some embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 includes FIG. 3a , which is a side view of a velocity profilemeter configured on a process pipe, according to some embodiment of thepresent invention; includes FIG. 3b , which show a longitudinal view ofthe velocity profile meter configured on the process pipe in FIG. 3a ,according to some embodiment of the present invention; and includes FIG.3c , which is a velocity profile in the form of a graph of the height inthe process pipe versus velocity (ft/sec) of the process flow in thepipe.

FIG. 4 is a graph of height versus velocity that shows a typical“J”-shaped velocity profile curve in a coarse tailings slurry in aprocess pipe.

FIG. 5 is a graph of height versus rate that shows an inverted backwards“C velocity type curve.

FIG. 6 is a graph of height versus rate flow (ft./sec.) that shows anindication of the presence of froth at the top of a pipe.

FIG. 7 is a graph of normalized height versus rate flow that shows anindication of the presence of sand forming at the bottom of a pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1

FIG. 1a shows the apparatus generally indicated as 10 according to someembodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 10 may include oneor more of the following: a process pipe having a process flow flowingtherein; one or more VF/GVF velocity profile meter 14 configured orarranged on the process pipe 12; diverter apparatus 16 also configuredor arranged in relation to the process pipe 12 with a diverter 16 a forselectively diverting some part of the process flow to a tank flow pipe16 b and the remaining part of the process flow to a tailings pond flowpipe 16 c; and a control processor 20.

The control processor 20 may include a signal processor 20 a configuredto: respond to signaling containing information about the presence of ahydrocarbon fluid in a process flow; and determine correspondingsignaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from theprocess flow remaining based at least partly on the signaling received.The signaling containing information about the presence of thehydrocarbon fluid in the process flow may be received, e.g., from theone or more VF/GVF velocity profile meter 14, which determines thepresence of the hydrocarbon fluid in the process flow based at leastpartly on the fluid flow velocity at the various levels or heightssensed within the process pipe 12.

By way of example, the hydrocarbon fluid may include, or take the formof a fluid containing bitumen, including where the process pipe 12 is acoarse tailings line and the fluid contains bitumen flowing in thecoarse tailings line. However, the scope of the invention is intended toinclude determining the presence of other types or kind of hydrocarbons,in other types or kind of hydrocarbon fluids, in other types or kinds ofprocess flows, either now known or later developed in the future.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the one or morevelocity profile meter 14 may be configured with sensors arranged orconfigured around a circumference of the process pipe 12, consistentwith that shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

The signal processor 20 a may be configured to provide the correspondingsignaling to a diverter controller 16 d to control the diverter 16 athat diverts the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining. Aperson skilled in the art would appreciate and understand how toimplement or configure without undue experimentation such diverterapparatus 16 having such a diverter 16 a and diverter controller 16 d insuch a process pipe 12 in order to perform the diversion functionalityset forth herein consistent with the present invention.

FIGS. 2-7

FIG. 2 shows a process pipe arranged in relation to a holding tank,according to some embodiments of the present invention. The process pipeis shown, by way of example, as a 28″ process pipe, although the scopeof the invention is not intended to be limited to any particulardimension thereof. The process pipe may be configured with one or moreSONAR-based velocity profile meter, e.g., including a SONARtrac 28″velocity profile meter that is known in the art and developed by theassignee of the instant patent application. The SONARtrac 28″ velocityprofile meter is configured to conform to the 28″ process flow,consistent with that set forth in FIG. 3. The process pipe is alsoconfigured with another SONAR-based meter, e.g., including a SONARtrac28″ VF/VGF meter that is also known in the art and developed by theassignee of the instant patent application. The SONAR-based velocityprofile meter and/or SONARtrac 28″ VF/VGF meter may be configured tosense the process flow in the process pipe and provide the signalingcontaining information about the fluid flow velocity at the variouslevels or heights within the process pipe.

The inventors have found that in a tailings line containing traceamounts of bitumen, the bitumen at the top of the pipe will transport ata slower velocity than the more dense water in the center of the pipe,but faster than the coarse solids at the bottom of the pipe. Based onthis understanding, the SONAR-based 28″ velocity profile meter and/orSONARtrac 28″ VF/VGF meter may be configured to determine the fluid flowvelocity at various levels or heights within the process pipe, andprovide the signaling containing information about the same. The processflow in whole or in part flowing in the process pipe may be diverted tothe holding tank via a skimmer line or to a tailings pond. The skimmerline is shown, by way of example, to be a 6″ skimmer line, although thescope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particulardimension thereof. According to the present invention, the informationabout the fluid flow velocity at various levels or heights within theprocess pipe from the SONAR-based 28″ velocity profile meter and/orSONARtrac 28″ VF/VGF may be used to control the diversion of thehydrocarbon fluid, such as bitumen, from the process flow remaining. Inother words, the hydrocarbon fluid, such as the fluid containingbitumen, may be diverted along the skimmer line to the holding tank,while the process flow remaining (substantially not containing thebitumen) may to provided to the tailings pond. In FIG. 2, by way ofexample, the SONARtrac 28″ VF/VGF is shown configured about 20′ from thediverter point where the process line is coupled to the skimmer linediversion, and the skimmer line diversion is configured about 60′ from a6″ VF/VGF configured to provide a further measurement of the divertedhydrocarbon fluid flowing in the skimmer line to the holding tank. InFIG. 2, the skimmer line is understood to be configured with appropriatediverter apparatus at the diverter point having a skimmer consistentwith that set froth in relation to FIG. 1a herein.

In FIG. 2, the holding tank is configured to receive the divertedhydrocarbon fluid, such as fluid containing bitumen, to provide water tothe tailings pond, and also to provide recovered hydrocarbon, such asbitumen, to a CEDA VAC truck pump to barrels, as shown. The barrelscontaining the recover hydrocarbon, such as bitumen, may be transportedso that the recovered hydrocarbon, such as bitumen, may be appropriatelyused or sold as needed in the marketplace.

FIGS. 3a and 3b shows an implementation of the velocity profile meter,having sensors arranged or configured around the circumference of aprocess pipe, so that the fluid flow velocity at various levels orheights within the process pipe can be determined. For example, in ahorizontal process pipe that contains a flowing slurry of liquid andsolids, because of gravity and density effects, the solids will tend toflow along the bottom of the pipe and liquids will tend to flow alongthe middle and top of the pipe. In FIGS. 3a, 3b , by way of example, thevelocity profile meter may be, or take the form of, a wrap-aroundvelocity profile meter that uses multiple sensing arrays, includingwhere the multiple sensing arrays are located radially at a top positionof 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90°and 135°.

FIG. 4 includes a graph that shows a typical expected velocity profileof a slurry containing a combination of solids (such as sand and clays)with water flowing in a process pipe. The graph in FIG. 4 shows theslower moving solids at the bottom of the process pipe, with fastermoving water near the top of the process pipe. The vertical axisrepresents the nominal pipe height, the horizontal axis, and thevelocity.

It is understood that in a process pipe that contains a combination ofsolids (such as sands and clays) with water and bitumen, the bitumenwill tend to “float” to the top of the process pipe and move at a slowvelocity than the water in the center of the process pipe, but at afaster velocity than the solids at the bottom of the process pipe. FIG.5 includes, by way of example, a graph that shows an example of aprocess pipe containing solids, water and bitumen.

FIGS. 6 and 7 include, by way of example, graphs that show a velocityprofile at the beginning, middle and end of a coarse tailings line.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, and consistentwith that disclosed herein, the velocity profile meter may also be usedto detect a stationary sand bed forming in a pipe, leading to a sand-outor clog of the pipe.

The present invention may include the diverter controller 16 d (FIG. 1a) to be used to control a diverter 16 a arranged in the process pipe,such as process pipe 12. The diverter 16 a may include, or take the formof, a fixed diverter. In the case of the fixed diverter, the pipeconnecting the fixed diverter 16 a to a holding tank can be closed offwhen no bitumen is detected, and opened when bitumen is detected.

Alternatively, the diverter 16 a may include, or take the form of, avariable diverter. The variable diverter can be utilized, and theposition of the diverter adjusted, based upon the detected amount ofbitumen in, e.g., the coarse tailings line. For example, the velocityprofile meter or system can be used to optimize bitumen recovery in aclosed-loop fashion with an adjustable skimmer blade that will adjust tothe levels and degree of bitumen separation in the process pipe asindicated by the velocity profile meter.

While the present invention is shown and described for use in a coarsetailings line, the present invention may be used in any process wherethere is the possibility of a flow containing solids, water andhydrocarbon fluids, to detect the presence of the hydrocarbon fluid, andalso, if desired, control the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid fromthe remaining flow using a skimmer or some other method or technique.

Control/Signal Processor 20, 20 a and Diverter Controller 16 d

By way of example, and consistent with that described herein, thefunctionality of the control processor 20, signal processor 20 a anddiverter controller 16 d may be implemented using hardware, software,firmware, or a combination thereof, although the scope of the inventionis not intended to be limited to any particular embodiment thereof. In atypical software implementation, the signal processor 20 a may be, ortake the form of, one or more microprocessor-based architectures havinga microprocessor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory(ROM), input/output devices and control, data and address busesconnecting the same. A person skilled in the art would be able toprogram such a microprocessor-based implementation to perform thefunctionality set forth in the signal processor 20 a, as well as otherfunctionality described herein without undue experimentation. Forexample, a person skilled in the art would be able to program such amicroprocessor-based implementation without undue experimentation forthe implementation of the control processor 20 and the signal processor20 a to respond to the signaling containing information about thepresence of the hydrocarbon fluid in the process flow; and determine thecorresponding signaling to control the diversion of the hydrocarbonfluid from the process flow remaining based at least partly on thesignaling received, consistent with that disclosed herein. Moreover, aperson skilled in the art would be able to program such amicroprocessor-based implementation without undue experimentation forthe diverter controller 16 d to respond the corresponding signaling andcontrol the diverter 16 a and the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluidfrom the process flow remaining based at least partly on thecorresponding signaling received, consistent with that disclosed herein.The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to anyparticular implementation using technology now known or later developedin the future. Moreover, the scope of the invention is intended toinclude the signal processor being a stand alone module, as shown, or inthe combination with other circuitry for implementing another module.

It is also understood that the signal processor 20 a may include one ormore other modules, components, circuits, or circuitry 20 b forimplementing other functionality associated with the apparatus that doesnot form part of the underlying invention, and thus is not described indetail herein. By way of example, the one or more other modules,components, circuits, or circuitry generally indicated as element 20 bmay include random access memory, read only memory, input/outputcircuitry and control, data and address buses for use in relation toimplementing the signal processing functionality of the signal processor20 a.

SONAR-based Entrained Air Meter and Volumetric Flow (VF) and Gas VoidFraction (GVF) Technology

By way of example, the velocity profile meter technology is known in theart, and may include, or take the form of, one or more of theSONAR-based entrained air meter disclosed, e.g., in whole or in part inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/991,636, filed 1 Feb. 2011(WFVA/CiDRA file nos. 712-2.322-1/CC-0962), as well as, by way ofexample, the SONAR-based technology disclosed in one or more of U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,609,069; 7,062,976; 7,086,278; 7,134,320; 7,165,464;7,363,800; 7,343,818; 7,343,820; 7,367,240; 7,571,633 and 8,109,127, allof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The velocityprofile meter technology may also be implemented using Volumetric Flow(VF) technology and/or Gas Void Fraction (GVF) technology that is knownin the art, that was developed by the assignee of the presentapplication, or its parent, predecessor or related company or companiesand that is disclosed in other patents and patent applications. Thevelocity profile meter may also be implemented using Volumetric Flow(VF) technology and/or Gas Void Fraction (GVF) technology that formspart of a product series known and marketed under the trademark“SONARtrac,” as well as in a product known as a GVF-100 meter, that weredeveloped by the assignee of the present application or its parent,predecessor or related company or companies. See also U.S. Pat. Nos.6,354,147; 6,609,069; and 6,587,798, which disclose other techniques forfluid parameter measurement in pipes using acoustic pressures, that areall also incorporated by reference in their entirety.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, may modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A method for processing a hydrocarbon fluid in aprocess flow in a course tailings line, comprising: responding, with asignal processor, to signaling containing information about fluid flowvelocities sensed at various levels or heights in a hydrocarbon fluidcontaining bitumen in a process flow in a course tailings line, thesignaling containing information about at least a first fluid flowvelocity sensed at or near the top of the course tailings line, and atleast one other fluid flow velocity sensed at some other location belowthe top of the course tailings line; and determining, with a signalprocessor, corresponding signaling to control the diversion of a portionof the hydrocarbon fluid flowing at or near the top of the coursetailings line from the process flow to one flow pipe for furtherprocessing, and a remaining portion of the hydrocarbon fluid flowingbelow the top of the course tailings line from the process flow toanother flow pipe, based at least partly on the signaling received. 27.A method according to claim 26, wherein the method comprises receiving,with the signal processor, the signaling from a velocity profile meterhaving sensors arranged or configured around a circumference of theprocess pipe.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the methodcomprises configuring the velocity profile meter as a wrap-aroundvelocity profile meter that uses multiple sensing arrays, includingwhere the multiple sensing arrays are located radially at a top positionof 0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90°and 135°.
 29. A method according to claim 26, wherein the methodcomprises providing, with the signal processor, the correspondingsignaling to control a diverter that diverts the hydrocarbon fluid fromthe process flow.
 30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the methodcomprises configuring diverter apparatus in relation to the coursetailings line, and controlling the diverter with a diverter controllerthat controls the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the processflow, based at least partly on the corresponding signaling received. 31.A method according to claim 26, wherein the method comprises providing,with the signal processor, the corresponding signaling to control afixed diverter, so that a tank flow pipe connecting the fixed diverterto the holding tank can be closed off when no hydrocarbon fluid isdetected, and opened when the hydrocarbon fluid is detected.
 32. Amethod according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises configuringdiverter apparatus in relation to the process pipe, and controlling thefixed diverter with a diverter controller that controls the diversion ofthe hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow remaining based at leastpartly on the corresponding signaling received.
 33. A method accordingto claim 26, wherein the method comprises providing, with the signalprocessor, the corresponding signaling to control a variable diverter,so that the position of the variable diverter can be adjusted based upona detected amount of hydrocarbon fluid in the process flow.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 33, wherein the method comprises configuring thediverter apparatus in relation to the process pipe, and controlling thevariable diverter with a diverter controller that controls the diversionof the hydrocarbon fluid from the process flow, based at least partly onthe corresponding signaling received.
 35. A method according to claim26, wherein the method comprises providing, with the signal processor,the corresponding signaling to control an adjustable skimmer blade thatcan be adjusted to levels and degrees of hydrocarbon fluid in theprocess flow.
 36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the methodcomprises configuring diverter apparatus in relation to the processpipe, and controlling the adjustable skimmer blade with a divertercontroller that controls the diversion of the hydrocarbon fluid from theprocess flow, based at least partly on the corresponding signalingreceived.
 37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the methodcomprises configuring the velocity profile meter as a wrap-aroundvelocity profile meter having multiple sensing arrays, including wherethe multiple sensing arrays are located radially at a top position of0°, a bottom position of 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90° and135°, and that is configured in a closed-loop fashion with theadjustable skimmer blade.
 38. A method according to claim 26, whereinthe method comprises: configuring the process pipe as a course tailingsflow pipe; configuring the one flow pipe as a tank flow pipe forproviding the hydrocarbon fluid diverted to a holding tank for furtherprocessing; and configuring the another flow pipe as a tailings pondflow pipe for providing the remaining fluid to a tailings pond.
 39. Amethod for processing a hydrocarbon fluid in a process flow flowing in acourse tailings line, comprising: arranging or configuring a velocityprofile meter having sensors around a circumference of a course tailingsline to sense fluid flow velocities sensed at various levels or heightsin a hydrocarbon fluid containing bitumen in a process flow in thecourse tailings line, and provide signaling containing information aboutat least a first fluid flow velocity sensed at or near the top of thecourse tailings line, and at least one other fluid flow velocity sensedat some other location below the top of the course tailings line;respond, with a control processor having signal processor, to thesignaling, determining, with the control processor, correspondingsignaling to control the diversion of a portion of the hydrocarbon fluidflowing at or near the top of the course tailings line from the processflow to one flow pipe for further processing, and a remaining portion ofthe hydrocarbon fluid flowing below the top of the course tailings linefrom the process flow to another flow pipe, based upon the signalingreceived; and configuring a diverter, having an adjustable skimmer bladethat can be adjusted to levels and degrees of hydrocarbon fluid in theprocess flow, to respond to the corresponding signaling, and move theadjustable skimmer blade to a level or height within the process pipe todivert corresponding portions of the hydrocarbon fluid from the processflow into either a holding tank flow pipe or a tailings pond flow pipedepending on the level or height of the adjustable skimmer blade.
 40. Amethod according to claim 39, wherein the method comprises configuringthe velocity profile meter as a wrap-around velocity profile meter thatuses multiple sensing arrays, including where the multiple sensingarrays are located radially at a top position of 0°, a bottom positionof 180°, and intermediate positions 45°, 90°, 135°, 225°, 270°, 315°.